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A Happy Halloween from First National Bank & Trust
First National Bank & Trust in Iron Mountain, Mich., sponsors the second annual Downtown Iron Mountain Pumpkin Walk event.
Tech Solutions That Can Help Stop Elder Fraud
Elder financial abuse is a rising crime across the country. Using technology, community bankers can help detect this type of fraud and protect their customers.
Jim Reber: Don't Discount Discounts
Below-market coupons could be your friends in 2024.
Farmers and Merchants' Digital Transformation in Farm Country
Working in an agricultural community, Farmers and Merchants Bank is supporting its farm customers by innovating its products and services.
Lindsay LaNore: How to Dress Up Discussions
Workdays can bring exciting opportunities and challenging headwinds, and the ability to have open dialogue makes it easier to manage both. Communicating effectively within your team can unlock...
An Update on Data Protection Regulations
Last year, the CFPB issued an advisory opinion on privacy protection for personal data compiled from community banks. Here’s what you need to know.
Oxford Bank Presents Cybersecurity Lessons from the FBI
Oxford Bank connected its community with the FBI during an educational, interactive session about the importance of cybersecurity and awareness.
Future-Proof Your Community Bank's Core
It’s a stressful time when your core contract is up for renewal. Is your community bank getting what it needs? Will it still be in five years or more? Take a closer look at those contracts and make...
6 Things Community Banks Need to Know About Cybersecurity Today
From dealing with emerging cyber threats to finding ways to get all your employees to be aware and proactive, we spoke to community bankers and experts about the tools and knowledge that will help...
Out of Office: Rich Moldenhauer
The vice president of operations and information technology at $185 million-asset New Market Bank in Elko New Market, Minn., carries on the beekeeping legacy of his father and grandfather.
Football, Fun and Fundraising at One Community Bank
On October 21, One Community Bank in Waunakee, Wisconsin, will host an outdoor viewing party for the University of Wisconsin-Madison football game. The event is a fundraiser for the Waunakee School...
How Community Banks Can Cut Down Data Privacy Threats
Education on how to keep data safe is important for both community bank employees and their customers. Community bankers and data privacy experts share their tips to help keep data safe
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Combatting Cyber Threats
We need to continue our training … to identify threats and prepare ourselves, our staff and our customers for what’s possible and what’s potentially next.
How to Excel in Niche Lending
From microbreweries to veterinary businesses, new companies pop up every day, but the needs of each business customer are different. Specialty community bank lenders describe how they serve their...
Chris Cole: Basel III Endgame Proposals Targeted at Large Banks
With legislation like the Interagency Proposal to Amend Regulatory Capital Requirements for Large Banks, it’s important for community bankers to share their opinions on why “too big to fail” banks...
Member Benefits: Tips for IT Outsourcing
For community banks that are considering or are already working with a third-party IT vendor, ICBA’s IT Outsourcing Toolkit has a collection of resources that address the process and considerations.
Modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act
To meet the needs of today’s world, the Community Reinvestment Act is getting an update. Here’s what to know about it.
Charles Potts: How Curiosity Leads to Innovation
How many times have you asked your customers what they need or how you can serve their needs? Asking these questions is crucial to improving the customer experience and ultimately ensuring lifelong...
Generative AI in Community Banking: What's the Risk?
Generative AI, such as ChatGPT and Jasper, is growing and evolving rapidly. How can community banks leverage this technology while avoiding scams?
Lindsay LaNore: Look for Learning Everywhere
Learning happens everywhere, and those lessons can have a big impact on our work performance, perspective and team culture.
What Does Pay by Bank Mean for Community Banks?
Now that FedNow has launched, it’s time to put some focus on a new payments form: Pay by Bank.
Veritex Community Bank Throws a Fastball for Financial Literacy
This baseball season, every strikeout thrown by Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly spurs a $100 donation to Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas—courtesy of Veritex Community Bank.
Derek Williams: At the Heart of Service
There’s a commitment to the community that’s based on one fact: Service is not something we strive for; it’s simply a part of who we are.
Leveling Up: How Community Banks Should Navigate Asset Size Growth Thresholds
As your bank grows in asset size, it’s vital to keep up with compliance regulations to meet the standards of each new threshold. By planning ahead and preparing your staff, the process can be...
What's the Future of Ag Lending?
As technology evolves, so do the needs of farmers. From cloud usage to digital lending solutions, ag lending experts explain how community banks can best support their farming clientele.
Jim Reber: Monetary Policy for the WIN
The Fed was battling inflation 50 years ago, too.
Primis Bank Brings Banking to Your Front Door
Inspired by a fateful food delivery, Primis Bank launched V1BE, a banking delivery service that serves both individuals and businesses.
How Technology Can Simplify Banks' Workflow
As compliance obligations mount, community bankers reveal the benefits regtech brings to their banks and offer tips for finding the right partners.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Advocate for a Positive Environment
We advocate for community bankers to continue to have an environment where they can help their customers, and we respond creatively to ensure our customers still have access to solutions that meet...
How Banks Can Combat Deposit Insurance Disruption
Following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, community banks look to alternative deposit insurance options.
Charles Potts: Budgeting for the Future
We’re in a tricky economic environment, but by focusing further down the line, we can get ahead of industry evolution and prepare for what’s next.
Jenna Burke: Are Changes to Bank M&A Rules on the Horizon?
The Department of Justice and other banking agencies are evaluating a new potential M&A framework. What does this mean for community banks?
ICBA's 2023 National Community Bank Service Award Winners
ICBA’s 2023 National Community Bank Service Award winners, First Federal Savings & Loan Association and Cross Bank, explain why, in the face of devastating natural disasters, it was natural to help...
ICBA's 2022 National Community Bank Service Award winners
The winners of ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Awards, which recognize member banks for their extraordinary efforts during the past year, are shining examples of the community bank difference.
Should You Talk to Customers about your Community Bank's Finances?
With the recent failures of a few megabanks, customers may have questions and concerns about their own banks. Here’s how you can address them.
How to Streamline Balance Sheet Risk Management
Balance sheet risk management is a constantly evolving area. Luckily for community bankers, new tools are being created in turn to help optimize the process.
Lindsay LaNore: The Swift Swap
How to build community in your teams and incorporate fun into the workday without breaking the budget or eating up valuable work time.
Tips for Better Community Bank CMS Testing
By understanding and leveraging compliance management system testing, community banks can limit potential risk.
Derek Williams: Part of the Family
A bank that demonstrates it truly understands and cares about individual needs will create a meaningful relationship with that employee and strengthen retention in the process.
9 Ways for Community Banks to Cut Expenses
As the start of the fiscal year approaches, it’s a great opportunity for community banks to revisit vendor contracts, technology and more to limit expenses. We asked experts for their top tips on...
CFOs' Tips on a Changing Environment
Community bank chief financial officers are currently facing one of the most challenging environments in decades. Independent Banker recently spoke with community bank CFOs to see how they are...
Troy Bank & Trust Banks Carries the Torch for its Founder
Charles Henderson’s legacy as a businessman, politician and philanthropist continues to guide Alabama’s Troy Bank & Trust nearly a century after his death.
Member Benefits: ICBA Career Center
ICBA’s Career Center serves bankers who are both hiring and looking for jobs, connecting them to the financial institution careers and talent that they desire.
Out of Office: Dick Behl
The president of $35 million-asset Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Scotland, S.D., doubles as a weekend scuba instructor.
In Pictures: The ICBA Capital Summit 2023
To advocate for community banks across the nation, ICBA and participating bankers went straight to the source: Capitol Hill.
Rebeca Romero Rainey: A Tried-and-True Business Model
So much of what we’ve seen in the last six months is banks doubling down on what they’re good at doing: helping their customers and communities in ways that nobody else can.
Member Milestones: Keeping the Community Bank Spirit Alive
Each year, ICBA recognizes member banks celebrating significant anniversaries: 100, 125, 150 or 175 years. Each has a story that proves why these community banks remain staples of their towns and...
Susan Sullivan: Staking a Claim in the Digital Assets Debate
As Congress and other federal agencies discuss the evolving marketplace of cryptocurrency and a CBDC, ICBA is ensuring the voice of community banks are being heard.
How Choice Bank Used Tech to Recapture Ag Business
When ag retailers started offering financing options from national companies at the point of sale, Choice Bank hit back with the development of an innovative POS digital origination platform.
OceanFirst Bank's Financial Literacy Push
With a goal of improving financial literacy statewide and within its served communities, OceanFirst Bank N.A. in Toms River, N.J., donated $10,000 to Junior Achievement (JA) of New Jersey.
Out of Office: JD Bubel
The vice president and CIO of $240 million-asset Security First Bank in Center, N.D., is retiring from his second career as a rodeo stock contractor, a job he did with his father for the love of...
Compensation and Benefits for Community Banks' C-Suite
When selecting benefits for your executive employees, their wants and needs may differ depending on the state of the market, where they are in life and other factors. Learn how to tune into those...
First Community Bank Paints the Town Pink for Charity
In October 2022, First Community Bank in Batesville, Ark., raised more than $16,000 for breast cancer research. The community bank joined White River Health System’s Paint the Town Pink initiative...
Jim Reber: Portfolio Power
Barbell structure may be the right regimen.
Lindsay LaNore: 5 Skills to Master Early in Your Career
What are the career skills you need to learn in your twenties?
Rebeca Romero Rainey: Here for the Long Haul
Community banks … commit for the long haul as a true partner, helping customers withstand market turbulence and come out successfully on the other side.
Stephen Keen: ICBA Defends Against FDIC Special Assessment
As soon as the news broke about Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, ICBA sprang into action, shielding community banks from paying for the failures of the megabanks.
40 Under 40: 2023 Community Bank Leaders
In our fifth annual 40 Under 40 community bank leaders awards, meet the winners who are making a difference in their banks and communities through trailblazing innovations, a philanthropic spirit...
Charles Potts: The Importance of Curiosity
What makes an innovation leader? By its very nature, innovation doesn’t conform to a particular series of checkboxes, yet all innovation-focused leaders exemplify one critical trait: curiosity.